Balangir: Speakers at a meeting to formulate strategy for restoration and renovation of the historic Karangakata tank unequivocally expressed concern over the issue of encroachment that poses a threat to the very existence of the water bodies in the town.

Most of the water bodies, which date back to the Raj period, now exist just for namesake.

Large-scale encroachment and constructions on these water bodies have shrunk the area of the tanks.

The meeting stressed on the removal of encroachment and restoration of the channel through which rain water enters the Karangakata tank.

Cleaning the tank, which the engineer concerned informed would take at least two months, was however put off for the next year as monsoon wes expected to arrive within a month and that would affect the clean drive.

Balangir tehsildar Mahendra Kumar Mahapatra said: "The inside area of the tank is around 19 acres. The side walls and the encroachment have not been taken into account."

Balangir collector Arindam Dakua said in order to restore the tank, the encroachment must be removed.

"All encroachment from the tank area must be removed in order to take up any restoration and repair work. I am directing the tehsildar to take up demarcation of Karangakata tank area at the earliest. The municipality has to take up the restoration of the drain through which rain water enters Karangakata. The cleaning of the tank will be taken up next year because there is not sufficient time for that before the monsoon this year," he said.

The collector expressed the need of a committee with members of the civil society to supervise the work.

Notice to squatters

Balangir Municipality has served notices to several persons who have carried out unauthorised constructions by encroaching on Maharani Sagar, the largest water body in the town. The Tuesday notice asked them to vacate the encroachment within three days or be sued.

Several residents of the town have erected permanent structures on the Maharani Sagar.